Depo headlight replacement project - need help with basic questions....

[vanzack]

Ok - first off I am a real newbie at this. I am trying to replace my factory headlamps with the Depo headlamps and I have several stupid questions.

I have read almost everything here but seem to get confusing and sometimes conflicting information - so any help is greatly appreciated. I have received the Depo headlamps and have not started to unscrew anything.

They dont come with instructions and I cant find any instructions on the net.

QUestions:

1. Do I need replacement bulbs or can I use the ones in my current headlamps?
2. What bulbs, and how many do I need? I am not looking for superior performance or xenon - I just want to replace what I currently have from the factory.


That will at least get me started.

Thanks in advance.

[di_nate]

I just put depo headlights in my car not to long ago. First take off the plastic below the existing headlamp by unscrewing it and then clipping it off. Then you can see all of the other screws and it is next to common sense from there.

And I used the same exact bulbs that I had in my original headlights. They are both H7 so they work fine. If I were you, i would replace with better ones once those burn out. No point in throwing away perfectly good bulbs.

[vanzack]

Great. Thanks.

I just got my existing headlamp fixture out.

On my new Depo headlamps, right under one of the two electical hookups, is a hose with 2 rubber outlets coming out of it. My existing headlamps from the facotry had this also but it was not hooked up to anything in the vehicle.

What is this and should it be hooked up to something?

THANKS

[raymond-]

the dongle is simply venting. doesn't hook up to anything. this is that split Y
looking thing, right? another thing...it's possible that the city light on the Depo
will use W5W, wedge base instead of the bayo base of the MB city light H5W.
if so, you'll need to pick up a pair of W5Ws....otherwise all factory bulbs should
slide on over just fine.

I agree that while you're at it, you should fit in something like Silverstars or
Phillips high end halogen. the Depo projector assembly is of poor quality and
light output is lower than MB's reflector. if you drive on rural roads, get the
best H7s you can (at 55 watts).

[vanzack]

Thank you very much.

I ran out and got Sylvania Silverstars 55w H7s. The W5W's were already included with the Depos as shipped.

I have about 5 more screws to tighten up and the job is done, COULDNT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT THE HELP HERE!!

THANKS

[vanzack]

And yes - that is the split y looking thing.

I just let the dongle dangle.

THANKS

[vanzack]

I decided to write up a little step by step manual to help whoever replaces their factory headlamps with the Depo clear replacements. They come with extremely limited and confusing instructions - so for the ultra beginer (like myself) here is how it goes:

I have a 96 E320.

1. Go here to watch the video on how to remove the bumper plate holding the headlamps in place on your vehicle. There are 2 screws to take out, one directly on top of the plate and one becomes visible when you remove the black rubber towards the grill of the vehicle.
http://mb.braingears.com/W210/w210/media/W210%20J.mpg

2. Once you have the plate loose, gently pull it towards the middle of the car and dont remove the rubber attached - just let the plate hang.

2. Now take out the other 3 screws. One is at the top right of the headlight assembly, the second is underneath the healight assembly parallel to the bumper and facing out, and the third is underneath the little light of the 2 lights.

3. Now gently remove the headlamp assembly. There will be 2 things hooked up to it, one is a 4 prong electrical hookup and the other is a 2 prong. Your headlamp assembly is now free.

4. Your depo headlamps are shipped without bulbs. I went out and bought 4 Sylvania Silverstar H7 bulbs. You do not need the w5w bulbs as mentioned in other threads as the depo headlamps are now shipped with these bulbs already in place.

5. The depo headlamp is shipped with a strange "spring" (really 2 silver rods) assembly that needs to be removed. You would never know this because there are no instructions. You cant miss them, they look out of place and one of them actually stratles the plastic casing while the other goes down to the big headlamp assembly. Remove both rods and discard.

6. Install the 4 new bulbs (2 in each headlamp assembly). You can take off the plastic backing on the old factory headlamp assembly to see how to do this. You basically put the bulb in place, fasten down the 2 wire clamps, and then attach the wire housing directly to the back of the lightbulb.

7. Now you need to go to the top of your depo assembly and remove the blinker light - its the black circle with 2 silver prongs - by twisting it out. Now go to your factory headlamp and do the same. Take out the bulb out of the factory blinker and put it in the depo - and screw the blinker assembly back in to the depo headlamp.

8. You should now have (in each depo) 2 new H7's, one blinker bulb, and the w5w that already came from depo already installed.

9. Now go back to your vehicle and wiggle the depo assembly in, hooking up the 2 electrical jacks to the new assembly. TEST YOUR LIGHTS NOW TO SEE THAT LOW BEAM HIGH BEAM AND BLINKERS ALL WORK.

10. Put the 3 screws back in that hold the assembly to the frame of the vehicle.

11. Put the plate cover back in place and screw back in the 2 screws that hold it in place.


ALL DONE!!

I am an absolute newbie and I would say this took me about 2 hours. A pro could do this in a half hour tops.

GOOD LUCK!!

[vanzack]

I FORGOT!!

8A. You need to now put the plastic backing on to the assembly and secure using the 2 rods that strap it in place.

[vanzack]

12. IMPORTANT!!! (you can tell I am writing this as I go along)....

There are 2 adjust black knobs on the top of the headlamp assembly. I figured this one out because when i went out to drive after first installing them, I could only see 5 feet in front of me. They were pointed straight down. So I used a 13mm socket wrench and cranked them up, and then adjusted the left and right. This takes some trial and error.

[raymond-]

now that you know how easy it is to remove and replace the housing, consider
this......whether factory or aftermarket, the headlights seem vulnerable to
condensation accumulating on the inner surface of the outer lens. this is
most evident after rain or car wash. one preventative measure is to lay a
bead of clear RTV silicone around the perimeter of the housing...at the juncture
of the gray housing and the clear outer lens.

bead upper halves. let dry (half dozen hours). turn over and bead the joint on
the other half. doesn't matter if ugly bead as the rubber (figure 8) grommet
will hide the job.